Post by Brunt's Left Foot on May 31, 2017 22:40:37 GMT -5

Hammersmith Hardman usually makes these but he's been visiting the board much less frequently the past few months and since the domestic season is now over I thought I'd get cracking with the thread for the new English football season.

Post by Dan on Aug 5, 2017 4:14:00 GMT -5

Between the two Manchester Clubs for me this Season. City edge it on paper, but I still feel that they have to be much more fine tuned and clicking to be on form, which is harder to be as consistent. United already have the basis to not lose as they showed last year, and will only be stronger this Season. I'd lean with them to be able to grind out a few more 1-0's.

Not optimistic at all for our hopes though. If anything, we're weaker than last Season, and our squad is wafer thin despite having Europe to contend with. In all honesty, I could see it going tits up by January. The Hazard to Madrid rumours will pick up, Morata wont fire, and we've got too many setbacks early on. I would have taken Belotti over Morata given the choice, he suits our system more and is more of a working, dynamic, all round number 9, more akin to what Diego was. Morata on the other hand, is still relatively unproven despite being fairly experienced, but his game is a lot more about poaching and coming alive in the box. Our transfer policy is baffling, especially selling Chalobah for next to nothing but taking the £45million punt on Bakayoko. Matic to United is a headsgone for me. He may look leggy these days, but he's an absolute Jose player and he'll only make them stronger. Not many will enjoy playing against a midfield of Pogba, Matic & Fellaini. Units. I'm Wembley bound for the Charity Shield tomorrow, not got my hopes up.

I'll lean towards Real Madrid for a third successive Champions League too. Their strength in depth is just too much as shown last season, and their Midfield is the best in the World by far. Barca look an absolute mess from the board down, and still have no real idea of how to resolve their tactical issues which is baffling. Last minute overpriced panic buys will force their hand due to the loss of Neymar. PSG might actually surprise everyone and threaten in Europe sooner than everybody expects too. They'll be relatively fresh throughout Europe due to a less rigorous League campaign, and their front line is outrageously dynamic with the addition of Neymar.

Post by Hammersmith Hardman on Aug 7, 2017 0:14:52 GMT -5

Was good to see, some positive signs for sure. Nice to see most, if not all the players looking like giving a damn (on a separate note, there was nothing wrong with what Darron Gibson had said the previous week). Liking Simon Grayson a lot, don't think promotion will happen or even playoffs but to change the mentality at the club is much more important.